A FOOT discovered almost 20 years ago has now been identified as being from a young Wotton man who went missing at the time.

Graham Maxwell Rogers, who had a history of depression, was 26 years old when he was reported missing on April 10, 1993.

That morning the Lancaster University student had left his parents’ house in Parklands, Wotton-under-Edge, saying he was going to Stroud.

However on April 19 his car was found on Thornwell Road in Chepstow, a short distance from the Rivers Wye and Severn.

On November 7 that year the remains of a human foot were found in a Reebok trainer in flood defences on the River Severn near Nibley.

Forensic DNA testing was carried out on the foot in 1994 but was unable to identify who it was.

However advancements in DNA testing techniques led to it being resubmitted in December 2012 and a match was obtained.

Coroner’s officer Phil Squibbs said at the inquest at Gloucester Coroners Court on Thursday, February 14, that the development in technology made it one billion times more likely to be Mr Rogers than anybody else.

Deputy assistant coroner Katie Skerrett recorded an open verdict and the cause of death as unexplained.